Have you ever wanted to bring the story of Alice in Wonderland to life for your students? Making it a part of your curriculum could be a great way to excite and engage them while they learn.
Whether you’re reintroducing an old favourite or teaching this beloved classic for the first time, an Alice in Wonderland unit of study can provide countless learning opportunities.
In this blog post, we’ll look at planning your own Alice in Wonderland-inspired lessons and activities. From exploring themes through literature to hands-on projects that bolster creativity, read on and find some inspiration!
Related: For more, check out our article on Eragon by Christopher Paolini here.
The storyline of Alice in Wonderland
Alice is a young girl in an enchanted world with talking animals and peculiar characters after following the White Rabbit down a rabbit hole.
On her journey, she meets the Mad Hatter, the Cheshire Cat, and the Queen of Hearts. She embarks on a series of adventures where she encounters strange creatures and has to figure out riddles to find her way out.
Alice gradually learns how to use her wit and intelligence to survive in this nonsensical world and discover things about herself.
Ultimately, Alice wakes up from her dream-like experience, learning valuable life lessons and growing up.
Key Themes from Alice in Wonderland
Curiosity
Alice’s curiosity leads her to follow the White Rabbit down the rabbit hole and into an enchanted world.
Throughout her journey, she remains curious about the strange creatures and characters she meets and solves puzzles and riddles to progress. Her curiosity ultimately helps her survive in this surreal world.
Growing Up
Alice’s experiences in Wonderland force her to confront complex concepts related to growing up, such as taking responsibility for one’s actions and understanding logical consequences.
Despite feeling overwhelmed by the situation, Alice manages to overcome these problems with courage and resilience.
Ultimately, Alice wakes up having learned valuable lessons about life and becoming an adult.
Courage
Alice must display courage throughout her journey to overcome obstacles and tricky puzzles that come her way.
She musters up the strength to face the Queen of Hearts, who constantly threatens her with beheading, and gathers courage each time she embarks on a new adventure.
Through courage, Alice can succeed in the strange world of Wonderland.
Key Characters from Alice in Wonderland
The White Rabbit
The White Rabbit is the initial character Alice encounters when she follows him down the rabbit hole.
He sets off a chain of events that leads her to wander into an enchanted world, thus triggering her journey and adventures.
The Mad Hatter
Alice meets the Mad Hatter while attending a tea party with other peculiar guests. Alice learns valuable lessons about logic and life’s contradictions throughout their conversations.
He often speaks in riddles, forcing Alice to use her wit and intelligence to determine the answers.
The Queen of Hearts
The Queen of Hearts is a tyrannical ruler who threatens anyone who opposes her with beheading.
She constantly orders executions without much thought or remorse, making it difficult for Alice to escape unharmed.
Although this seems impossible initially, Alice eventually manages to outsmart the Queen and prevent any harm from coming upon herself or others.
Teaching Opportunities from Alice in Wonderland
- Encourage students to think outside the box when solving puzzles and problems.
- Foster creative problem-solving skills, as demonstrated by Alice throughout her journey.
- Develop courage and resilience amongst students.
- Promote the importance of taking responsibility for one’s actions and understanding logical consequences.
- Encourage curiosity in students, which will lead to exploration and discovery.
Lesson Plans
Lesson Plan 1
Introduction:
Start the lesson by introducing Alice in Wonderland and the characters. Explain why this book can offer students so many different learning opportunities and how it can help to teach creativity, courage and responsibility.
Main Teaching Points:
Discuss each of the teaching opportunities listed above one at a time. Please encourage students to think about how they can apply these concepts to their own lives and offer strategies.
Discuss the importance of taking responsibility for one’s actions and understanding logical consequences.
Reflection:
Ask students to reflect on what they have learned from reading Alice in Wonderland and think about the different teaching opportunities the story offers. Ask them to discuss how they can apply these concepts daily.
Key Questions:
- How did Alice’s journey help her think differently?
- In what ways do our decisions today affect our future?
- How can we promote creativity, courage, and responsibility amongst ourselves?
Lesson Plan 2
Introduction:
Introduce Alice in Wonderland and explain why this book is so popular. Describe Alice’s wonderous journey and how it helps teach essential skills such as problem-solving, understanding consequences and being brave.
Main Teaching Points:
Discuss each teaching opportunity listed individually and focus on creative problem-solving, understanding logical consequences and responsibility.
Talk about how these skills are necessary for our success and offer practical examples from Alice’s journey and our daily lives.
Reflection:
Ask students to reflect on what they have learned from reading Alice in Wonderland and think about the different teaching opportunities the story offers.
Ask them to discuss how they can use these concepts to become successful.
Key Questions:
- How did Alice’s journey help her think differently?
- In what ways do our decisions today affect our future?
- How can we embrace courage, creativity, and responsibility?
Lesson Plan 3
Introduction:
Explain why literature is essential in providing educational learning opportunities for young people.
Explain that stories like Alice in Wonderland allow us to explore solutions to complex problems without real-world consequences.
Main Teaching Points:
Discuss each teaching opportunity highlighted in Alice in Wonderland one at a time, focusing on creative problem-solving skills, understanding logical consequences, responsibility and courage.
Talk about how we need all of these skills if we are going to be successful in life and offer practical examples from both Alice’s journey and everyday life.
Reflection:
Ask students to reflect on what they have learned from reading Alice in Wonderland and think about the different teaching opportunities the story offers.
Ask them to discuss how they can use these concepts to become successful.
Key Questions:
How did Alice’s journey help her think differently?
In what ways do our decisions today affect our future?
How can we develop the courage and resilience necessary to succeed?
Isn’t it fascinating to envision the educational journey you can embark on with Alice in Wonderland?
This classic tale provides a rich tapestry of themes and lessons that can be woven into your curriculum, promising your students an engaging, immersive learning experience.
Through the exploration of literature, hands-on creativity, and cross-curricular connections, Alice’s adventures offer a unique platform for intellectual, linguistic, and personal development.
Can you imagine the excitement and curiosity these lessons could stir in your classroom?
As we’ve seen, planning an Alice in Wonderland unit of study needn’t be as daunting as falling down a rabbit hole.
With careful planning, a touch of creativity, and a sprinkle of enthusiasm, you can bring this timeless story to life and inspire a love for learning.
Isn’t it inspiring to consider the transformative educational journey you could embark on with this beloved classic? So why wait?
Dive into the whimsical world of Alice in Wonderland today, and watch as your lessons transform into a captivating learning adventure!
Similar Books
- Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There by Lewis Carroll
- The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
- The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
- The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
- Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Retold in Words of One Syllable by Mary Godolphin
- Peter Pan by J.M Barrie
- Charlotte’s Web by E.B White
- Matilda by Roald Dahl
FAQ
Q1: Why should I choose Alice in Wonderland as a class text?
A1: That’s an interesting question! Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland is a timeless classic that serves as an excellent resource for teaching various literary elements such as allegory, symbolism, and narrative structure. Can you grasp the opportunities this rich text might offer for your literature lessons?
Q2: How can I link Alice in Wonderland to other areas of the curriculum?
A2: Great query! This novel offers cross-curricular connections with subjects like history, by exploring Victorian England, and mathematics, through the author’s playful use of logic and numbers. Can you envision the comprehensive learning experience your students could gain from this interconnected approach?
Q3: What themes in Alice in Wonderland can I focus on during class discussions?
A3: There’s a plethora of themes to explore such as identity, growth, reality vs. fantasy, and the absurdity of life. Can you see how these themes could spark thought-provoking classroom discussions and critical thinking?
Q4: How can Alice in Wonderland help develop students’ language skills?
A4: Excellent question! The novel’s creative wordplay, riddles, and unique characters can enhance vocabulary, comprehension, and analytical skills. Can you fathom the linguistic strides your students could make through studying this text?
Q5: What engaging activities can I conduct to consolidate learning after teaching Alice in Wonderland?
A5: Several interactive options are available like role-plays, storyboarding, creating alternative endings, or even hosting a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. Can you feel the excitement and engagement these activities could stir up in your classroom?
6. How can Alice in Wonderland contribute to students’ overall personal development?
A6: By exploring Alice’s adventures, students can learn about adaptability, resilience, and the value of curiosity. Can you sense the life lessons and personal growth opportunities embedded in this enchanting tale?
Website Resources
- Alice in Wonderland Resources is an online resource library containing a wealth of resources related to Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, including activities and games, teaching resources, and much more.
- Alice in Wonderland Teaching Resources provides teachers with a range of free teaching resources for teaching Alice in Wonderland, including worksheets, lesson plans, and audio recordings of the book.
- Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll 7–9 (EN/GB) is a collection of exciting activities to use when exploring Alice’s adventures in Wonderland with students aged 7–9 years old.
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